Ashley’s P.O.V.Beta Dean spoke loudly, pointing at me with theatrical condemnation. “The traitor, Alpha Vincenzo is parading around as a victim, is the thief. She is the only outsider who had access to Alpha’s office after the strategy was finalized.”A hush fell in this crowd as gasps rippled, giving away the shock of the pack members. I could feel the stares drilling into my back like spears. A sharp, bitter laugh clawed at the back of my throat as Ivory uttered in surprise.“Beta Dean? Cassidy’s daddy?Gosh, Ash!So, he stooped so low to make his daughter Luna and accused us wrongly.”Although I had always remembered Beta Dean as a person who ruined my mating ceremony, it never crossed my mind that he could be the mastermind behind this plan. He was the pack’s Beta, second next to Alpha’s command. He had spent years acting as an Alpha when Vincenzo was a kid. After his dad’s death, Beta Dean stepped up and took the responsibility of training him like a loyal subordinate,
Ashley’s P.O.V. The morning sunlight streamed into the office through tall windows, painting long shadows across Vincenzo’s desk as I typed the last paragraph of the report he’d asked for. I had slept better last night than I had in months, partly due to rooftop dinner. But mostly because I knew something had shifted. Someone had taken the bait! Vincenzo hadn’t said a word about it. No text, no passing comment, not even a glance that hinted at what had unfolded after he had ‘accidentally’ spilled wine and left me alone with his unlocked phone. But I could feel it in my bones, the kind of stillness before a storm. The calm before a grand revelation. So, I worked through the day patiently, almost giddy. I filed documents, cross-checked territorial updates, and by noon, I was in the garden under the canopy tree. Lilly curled in my lap as I absently combed my fingers through her thick fur. The breeze was pleasant, buzzing my mind with anticipation. Any moment now! “Guess wha
Ashley’s P.O.V. The next morning, I woke up with one loud, clear thought: I regret everything! Agreeing to Vincenzo’s mysterious plan felt like signing up for an undercover mission with a control freak alpha, who suddenly remembered he had an entire arsenal of bossy instincts. He hadn’t stopped giving me orders since dawn. Eat this. Wear that. Don’t ask questions. Keep smiling. And now here I was … In a spa! Getting a massage while worrying about uncovering a criminal mastermind? Absolutely logical! I was currently in the sauna, wrapped in a soft white towel, sweat dripping down my spine as heat fogged up my thoughts and my patience. I muttered under my breath. “What’s next? Mani-pedi with hidden microphones?” Just as I leaned back against the wooden panel, trying not to melt into a puddle of frustration, the door opened with a gentle hiss. Vincenzo walked in like a sin carved by gods to test my patience. His hair was still damp, glistening slightly at the temples.
Ashley’s P.O.V.There was a beat of dead silence as Cassidy lifted her eyes to Vincenzo, speaking hesitantly. “No one questions Luna’s access to the vault. And as you have listed her as your partner right after finding out about your mate-bond, it was the most convenient method for me.I had seen Ashley’s signature before on greeting cards, gifts, and notes. So, it was just a small sign-in pass I used and then Ray forged the timestamp. It was supposed to be the safest bet ...”One small sign-in pass!Something inside me snapped. The rage I had kept buried for so long surged like a wave, slamming through my chest with every breath I took. My heart beat wildly, not out of pain this time, but fury. I drew a step forward, glaring at her with fire burning behind my eyes.“You dare to forge my signatures,” I spat, my voice sharp and raw. “You created false evidence. You walked into the pack’s most secure place using my name and stood by when I was branded a traitor. How can you do this
Ashley’s P.O.V.“I needed something personal from it, and I didn’t want to bother anyone. Ray knew a few tricks from his time working there.”The air around me felt heavy as stone as Cassidy’s confession curled hot anger in my chest, blazing my meek wolf. Despite her weakness, Ivory snarled at her.“Huh! Here the truth comes. Cassidy has admitted that she used Rayden’s help to get to the vault.”Although my wolf urged me to confront her right away, I kept calm, focusing on the conversation next. I had to hear what excuse she would use to cover up her crime.However, Vincenzo stood slowly, his voice raw and cold. “Cassidy, do you realize how severe that action is? The vault contains strategic secrets, magical seals, and historical records.”Beta Dean stared at Cassidy, his face a storm of disbelief and mounting fury. “Why did you do this?”He demanded, “and why the hell didn’t you come to me? I am your father, Cassidy. If you needed something from the vault, I could have asked f
Ashley’s P.O.V.For the last few days, I kept my words short, my steps firm, and my heart locked. Facing the sudden storm of sweetness was an arduous task for me. Vincenzo didn’t push me, not directly, but I could feel it, the way he hovered like a shadow behind every breath I took. He was trying to make me a diabetic patient by being unbearably sweet which somehow irritated me more than his usual Alpha arrogance. As a matter of fact, I wasn’t in need of his sweetness. I wanted the truth to undo the past and secure my future. Living under my ex’s roof wasn’t an ideal plan for me. To avoid Vincenzo’s relentless attacks, I spent most of the time with Lilly, brushing her fur and letting her purr to soothe the storm inside me. Her cute mischiefs made the air lighter, even when my chest felt like it was stuffed with wet cotton. Nowadays, Lilly was the only one I had allowed to come close to me as she didn’t ask questions or hover around like a six-feet-four-wall of guilt and all c